Encouragement - Writings by Donna Bishop with tributes & poems by friends. FVPS 2014 anthology. Click on image for details.
Picking Flowers - Poems by Thurlow Gowan with tributes and poems by friends. MSA PPS 2012 Anthology. Click on image for details.
River of Words - anthology published by MSA PPS in 2009. Click on image for details.
In The Haggard Road Shelley shares her love of words and images. A beautiful first collection. Click on image for details.
I Am The Poem culminates a lifetime of teaching and thinking about poetry - by Alvin G. Ens. Click on image for details.
A poem collection by Violet Nesdoly, about the families we are a part of, and the homestead we all inhabit. Click on image for details.
Poetic Spirits of the Valley-an anthology representing 25 years of poetic history in the Fraser Valley. Click on image for more details.
A Poets Passion Revisited by T. M. Broadworth - A collection of personal writings and photo art celebrating the complexities of life.
A Familiar Shore by Emily Isaccson. Stories of four women told in poetry, parable and myth
The Healing Power of Nature by Satwant Kaur Pandher. This full-color hardcover book contains over 50 poems and many photos. Click on image for details.
Calendar by Violet Nesdoly. Contains over 50 poems that explore the rhythms of the year, nature, life & the family. FREE! Click on image for details.
A Poetic Kaleidoscope by T. W. Goodrich: "... something for all readers: short, long, deep, simple, painful, and hopeful poems" - Reviewer (Click on image for details.)
A first collection by Nicholas Roberts, the space between the eyes contains over 50 poems. Click on image for details.
Hours From A Convent by Emily Isaacson. Poems from the perspective of a young nun. Click on image for details.
'Magnoliye De Phul' by Satwant Pander was inspired by Satwant's love of nature. Click on image for details.
Colours of My Heart - Poems by Surjeet Kalsey. Click on image for details.
Fritzy is a novelette, by Donna Bishop based on Fritzy's childhood. Informative reading for a ten year old. Delightful reading for an adult. Click on image for details.
Posted by Violet Nesdoly on September 22, 2014
The last Blue Moon reading night of the 2014 season, MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, will launch Of Wind and Flame, a project of two FVPS poets: Bridget Porter Oldale, and our president Brayden Sawatzky.
The open mic portion of the evening will follow the book launch and refreshments.
Posted in FVPS News | Tagged: Abbotsford B.C., Blue Moon Reading series, book launch, Brayden Sawatzky, Bridget Porter Oldale, Clearbrook Library, open mic, open mic reading, poetry book | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Violet Nesdoly on April 12, 2014
An open mic segment began the Fraser Valley Poets Society’s April 7th Blue Moon reading—our second reading of 2014. Ten readers performed works on subjects ranging from Malaysian flight 370 to brushing teeth in the shower. Several poets remembered Earth Day and one sang her thoughts in Punjabi.
Open mic readers – April 7, 2014
Alvin Ens proved to us that it’s official—our name change from Poets Potpourri Society to Fraser Valley Poets Society. He also announced a book giveaway for our next meeting (see below).
We are now the Fraser Valley Poets Society – name change certificate
Featured reader Robert Martens read from his newest book little creatures (Ekstasis Editions, 2013). The first section of the book, little creatures, has poems with titles like “cocoon to butterfly,” “the plague of the flea,” and “mother mosquito” leading listeners and readers to believe these will be about insects.
“They are about these little creatures,” Martens assured us. “But they’re also about more.” In addition to other poems he read “cricket moods” that speaks in picturesque language about cricket choruses throughout the day but also illustrates the sinister power of voices raised collectively.
From the book’s second section more creatures, looking for a home Martens read the moving poem “father jacob”—a poem about his dad. He ended his reading with the entertaining and tongue-in-cheek “i will not wear purple.”
Robert Martens reads from little creatures
As usual, Martens’ reading was entertaining but too short! Sales of his book were brisk, and I now have a copy of my own. Since Monday night, I’ve spent not a little time chuckling over and pondering the poems in this thought-provoking, sometimes prickly, and often humorous collection. (The cover and title page drawings by Heinz Klassen add to the whimsy).
Purchase a copy from Ekstasis Editions.
Our next meeting is Monday, May 5th. It will begin at 6:00 p.m. (note the change from the usual 6:30) to accommodate the membership taking some time to ratify our amended constitution. We hope to have lots of time, as well, for an open mic.
And of course, don’t forget about the FREE BOOKS! Alvin has a box full of poetry and poetry how-to books—part of the estate of a poetry teacher—for poetry buffs to claim and take home
Next meeting:
Posted in FVPS News | Tagged: Blue Moon Reading series, open mic, poetry reading, Robert Martens | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Violet Nesdoly on September 12, 2013
On September 9th the Poets Potpourri Society resumed after taking the summer off.
To honour International Literacy Day, Sharon Crowley from Literacy Matters Abbotsford began the evening by telling us about some of the literacy programs available for all ages through her organization. (For information, check out their website).
Ten poets took advantage of the Open Mic segment, reading poems on an array of subjects, from summer to surgery, intellect to alienation, saying farewell to savouring the wine of life.
Literacy Matters Abbotsford guest Sharon Crowley (top right) and five of the PPS open mic readers 09/09/13.
More PPS open mic readers.
What poets eat (bottom right)
After coffee time, featured reader Alvin Ens introduced his latest book, Must Have A Sense of Humour.
Violet and Irene, Alvin’s wife, read prose pieces from this witty collection, written over years with many prize-winning and previously published pieces in the bunch. Alvin concluded the reading by sharing several of the book’s poems. If anyone left frowning, it certainly wasn’t his fault.
Irene and Alvin Ens launch Must Have A Sense of Humour 09/09/13
Now mark your calendars for our next and final Blue Moon Reading of the 2013 season. It will take place on October 7th (6:30-8:30, Clearbrook Library, 32320 George Ferguson Way, Abbotsford). Our featured reader that evening will be Satwant Pander. She will launch her collection of English poems and photographs—The Healing Power of Nature. (Poster coming soon!)
Posted in Member News, MSA-PPS News | Tagged: Abbotsford BC, Alvin Ens, Blue Moon Reading series, Clearbrook Library, Fraser Valley poets, Fraser Valley writers, open mic, poetry reading | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Violet Nesdoly on May 3, 2013
Our next event is just around the corner. Mark your calendars for May 13th when our own Nicholas Roberts will be the featured guest at the Blue Moon Reading Series. He will be launching his new book the space between the eyes!
Find out more about the space between the eyes HERE.
Posted in Member News, MSA-PPS News | Tagged: Blue Moon Reading series, book launch, MSA PPS, Nicholas Roberts, the space between the eyes | Leave a Comment »
Fraser Valley Poets Society 